The Best Alternatives to Airbnb and Vrbo: The Rise of the Niche Platforms

Whether you own or manage 20 properties or 200, finding the right platform to showcase them on is integral to keeping them booked. Travelers have fallen in love with the Airbnb model of renting vacation homes, with the number of short-term rental hosts growing by 50% in 2021 in the U.S. alone. 

However, even though sites like Airbnb and Vrbo may be perfect for a portion of your properties, unique listings deserve unique platforms. Today, many guests are looking for those kinds of travel experiences, and they’re turning to alternative sites to find them. 

That is, in large part, thanks to the fact that many sites similar to Airbnb and Vrbo are just different enough to have something for everyone. People can find everything from tent camping to penthouses without wasting hours on the search. 

10 Alternatives to Airbnb

When looking for a solid Airbnb or Vrbo alternative, many prospective travelers flock to sites that are simple to navigate, feature interesting properties, and provide renter’s agreements that are easy to understand. 

Consider the following options if you’re looking for a new platform to connect with your ideal guests:

1. Glamping Hub

Glamping Hub is a booking-only platform, which means guests will still depend on the property manager or owner to conduct any direct communications. Managers may want to consider hiring a guest-screening service to reduce potential problems. 

Travelers with an interest in sustainable tourism and outdoor adventures are the primary demographic of Glamping Hub, so it’s best to consider the site if you manage unique accommodations like yurts, treehouses, campers, and tents.  

2. Wimdu

Wimdu is ideal for tourists who enjoy exploring new cities while remaining close to public transportation. The site currently showcases listings in 20 countries, with most units being in large cities. Options range from houseboats to hotel rooms and even entire apartments. Pet-friendly properties and those that cater to solo travelers, as well as families, are likely to do well by listing on Wimdu. 

3. Kid & Coe

Kid & Coe has been catering to families searching for short-term rentals since 2013. Consider stocking your rental with kid essentials like books, games, cribs, and other kid-friendly furniture to stand out from the crowd.

4. Booking.com

Clever advertising campaigns have helped make Booking.com one of the most widely used online platforms for travelers searching for short-term rentals. The website is user-friendly and often requires little interaction with a rental’s host. It also accepts a wide array of accommodations, with properties with excellent user reviews standing out among the rest. 

5. 9Flats

Featuring homes, apartments, and rooms across 200 countries, 9Flats is a Vrbo alternative that appeals to international travelers looking for an authentic travel experience. Staying in the home of a local resident and being able to get to know the area in a more personal way as a result is a major part of the appeal. 

6. Sonder

Sonder is similar to Airbnb in that it blends affordability with comfort. The company is technology-driven, with an efficient app that makes live interaction with hosts practically unnecessary. It also provides a 24/7 concierge service and offers a wide range of options. Travelers interested in private city apartments are its most frequent users.

7. Onefinestay

Onefinestay appeals to tech-savvy guests looking for luxury accommodations. Properties that are spacious and well-appointed are a good match for the platform, and its mobile app allows guests to access all the information they need, including local recommendations and tips for enjoying their stay, all from one central location. 

8. Plum Guide

Plum Guide is particularly selective, as it accepts less than 5% of the properties that apply to be listed. The site’s team personally vets every applicant using over 150 criteria. While the vetting process is stringent, it’s free to apply. And if your rentals are able to rate among the best, Plum Guide will ensure that you connect with travelers who enjoy the finer things. 

Because the site accepts so few applicants, its overall inventory is limited, but it also means each listing has a much higher chance of being noticed. 

9. Outdoorsy

Outdoorsy is similar to Airbnb, but it specifically markets itself to travelers who are looking for short-term rentals of motorhomes, travel trailers, and other types of RVs. Outdoorsy boasts a network of over a million customers and maintains listings in 14 countries. 

10. Tripadvisor

No list of alternatives to Airbnb would be complete without Tripadvisor, which offers vacation rentals in over 200 countries that range from private island villas to condos in the world’s biggest cities. As such a large company, Tripadvisor provides users with one of the most comprehensive travel review resources in the market. 

The downside of applying to Tripadvisor, though, is the competition. It can be hard to get your properties seen with so much for guests to choose from. Still, favorable recommendations and reviews generate higher rankings. 

Final Thoughts on Platforms Similar to Airbnb

Though sites like Airbnb and Vrbo remain immensely popular in the vacation home industry, they aren’t the only places where people are looking for great short-term rentals. 

Showcasing your properties on alternatives to Airbnb may serve to increase your bookings and attract a steady flow of return guests as well. Consider listing on alternative sites if you have properties that are upscale, family-friendly, ideal for large groups or solo travelers, or have special amenities that deserve to be noticed. 

Property managers can choose from commission-based or subscription-based models. To keep costs down, look for platforms that don’t charge application or listing fees. Just keep in mind that vacationers don’t want to deal with complicated platforms or apps that don’t offer any valuable information. Viewing a platform from the perspective of a guest as well as a property manager will help you find the best home for your short-term rental. 

Above all else, remember to contact Safely with any questions you have about short-term rental insurance, guest screening, or offering travel insurance to your guests.